Feed drive for packaging machines



April 24, 1951 c, s. sTEPHANo Y 2,550516 FEED DRIVE FQR PACKAGING MACHINES Filed Sept. l2, 1949 3 ShebS-Sheet 1 April 24, 1951v c. s. STEPHAN@ FEED DRIVE FOR PACKAGING MACHINES S'fsheets-sheet 2 'Filed sept. 12, A949A April 24, 1951 I c. s'. sTEP'HANo l 2,550,616

FEED DRIVE FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Filed sept; 12, 1949' sheetssheet's I Y Patented Apr. 24, 1 951 FEED DRIVE FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Constantine S. Stephano, Meadowbrook, Pa., as-

signor to Stephane Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 12, 1949, Serial No. 115,152

f l12 Claims. 1

This invention relates'to packaging machinery and more particularly Vto a machine for individually wrapping cigarettes.

' 'A primary objectI of the present invention ist-o provide 'an' improved means for feeding cylindrical articles such as cigarettes to a mechanism for `individually Wrapping said articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for individually wrapping cylin drical articles such as Cigarettes and the like.

A still further objectof the invention is to provide in a wrapping machine a screw conveyer for depositing articlesto be wrapped in timed, spaced relation to the wrapping mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provid'e` in a wrappingimachine of the type disclosed, means for detecting and preventing bunching of the articles on the conveyer.

Further objects will beV apparent from the specification and drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective partly broken away showing a preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section in elevation of the handling and wrapping machine;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail plan showing the outer end of the screw conveyers;

Fig. 4 is a section as seen at 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section as seen at 5-5 of Fig. 3; and

Fig is a perspective of one of the screw conveyers.

The present device is characterized by a pair of screws h-aving opposite threads and rotating in opposite directions which together form a con- Yveyer for transporting cigarettes from a feeding mechanism to a Wrapping mechanism. The conveyer operates in timed relation with respect to the wrapping mechanism so that the individual cigarettes are deposited in proper spaced relation `on thewrapping mechanism feed. Y l

The wrapping mechanism comprises an endless belt having spaced vertical lugs thereon which .feed the cigarettes axially into a funnel-shaped vwrapper between the individual cigarettes and se'al the tubular wrapper between the cigarettes.

"ReferringfnowA more particularly to Figs. l and 2, asupply ofV unwrapped cigarettes is contained in a funnel-shaped'hopper l0 which has two out- 'let conduits II and I2. 'A suitable baiile I3 serves to-guide the cigarettes=l4, I4 into the respective sides in the width of the thread lands.

2 chutes II and I2. Friction wheels I5 and H5 carry cigarettes from the bottom of hopper I0 into engagement with star wheels I'i and I8 to provide proper feeding of the cigarettes into chutes II and I2 in order to avoid jamming. The cigarettes in chutes II and I2 are deposited on star wheels I9 and 20 which carry the cigarettes through an arc of approximately past guard plates 2| and 22 which are in elTect extensions of one side of chutes iI and i2 respectively.

At the lower terminus of guards 2l and 22, the

'cigarettes are placed between the threads 25 `and 26 of screws 21 and 28. These screws are horizontally journaled in brackets 29 and 30 and are interconnected at one end by means of spur gears at 3|, enclosed in housing 32. The pitch of threads 25 and 26 and the relationship of the threads are such that star wheels I9 and 20 deposit cigarettes in alternate spaces; between threads on each screw. It will be understood that the advantage of having screws 2'! and 28 turn in opposite directions resides in the fact that frictional contact between the cigarettes and the screws is in opposite directions on each screw. Therefore there is no tendency for the cigarettes to be thrown oi of the screws in either direction. Furthermore, the threads 25 of screw 2l are so timed with the threads 26 of screw 23 that the top interstices between the threads are transversely in alignment. This feature enables the cigarettes to be positioned on both screws at right angles to the axes of the screws and in proper position for depositing on the wrapping device, as will be described hereinafter. An important characteristic of the screw threads 25 and 26 re- In the zone under star wheels IS and 2i), the axial distance between the threads is sumciently wide to insure that the cigarettes will always be deposited between threads. In the gone betwen star wheel 20 and finger 38, the thickness of the threads gradually increases so that the distance between threads is just suiiicient to accommodate an individual cigarette. This maximum thickness of the threads continues for the remainder of the length of screws 2i, 28 as shown in Fig. 2. v A pair of guard rails 35 and 33 extend longitudinally the length of screws 2l and 23 at a height substantially at the center of cigarettes I4 and serve to align the cigarettes transversely of the screws 21 and 28, as well as to prevent the cigarettes from becoming disengaged with the threads 25, 25 of either screw. A detector switch 3l having a feeler arm 38 associated with a switch actuator 39Y is positioned cigarettes.

lslits 68, 68 on either side thereof.

above the cigarettes on screws 21 and 2S so that any bunching of the cigarettes as well as the absence of a cigarette, may be detected and the machine stopped.

The main drive for the feeding mechanism is through shaft 45 which carries a spur gear 45 as shown in Fig. l. Gear 45 meshes with a smaller driven gear 41 on shaft 4S which also carries sprocket 49 and sprocket 5G. Screw 21 extends through bracket 35 and is provided with a shank fr on which is keyed a sprocket 52. Sprockets 5i! and 52 are connected by means of a chain 53 to provide a driving connection between the screws 21, and shaft 45.

As the cigarettes reach the outer termini of a threads 25 and 28 on screws 21 and 28, they are deposited on a platform 54 which is provided with a vertical sidewall 55, thus forming a channel through which the individual cigarettes may be pushed axially by means of lugs 55, 55 welded to spaced links on chain 5'! which connects sprockets 49 and 58. The outer ends of threads 25 and 26 on screws 21 and 23 are provided with an increased pitch portion 25a and 26a respectively which imparts a slight acceleration to the cigarettes as they leave the screws and insures that they are deposited on platform 54 in such a manner that they can be accurately positioned between lugs 56, 55. It will be noted from Figs. 3 and 4 that the spacing of lugs 55 is substantially greater than the lengths of the individual This permits compensation for any inaccuracies in the timing so that any tendency to jam is avoided. The spacing of the lugs is however, suiiiciently close to each other to insure that the screws 21 and 25 will deposit one cigarette between each pair of lugs. Rollers 5S and 6l journalled in brackets S2 and 63 serve to guide and to position the cigarettes as they are deposited from screws 21 and 28. Roller 6|, in addition, has the function of preventing cigarettes from popping up into engagement with chain 51, and to deposit the cigarettes downwardly in proper sequence onto platform 54.

As the cigarettes are moved axially along platform 54 by chain 51 and lugs 56, 56, they are received endwise in a trough 64 preparatory to the wrapping operation. If desired, a slight vacuum may be directed around channel 64 by means of nozzle 65 for the purpose of removing small particles of tobacco.

The individual wrapping of the cigarettes is performed by folding and sealing a web 66 of wrapping material around trough 64. Web 66 is provided with suitable tear tapes 61, 61 having The web 65 is fed longitudinally in line with trough 64 under rollers 65 and 10 and over roller 1|. The drive for the web is provided by means of an endless belt 12 which runs on rollers 13 and 14 and extends horizontally directly under trough 64 so that the web 65 is carried between the trough and belt 12. The trough 64 terminates at a point substantially below sprocket 58 so that from this station the cigarettes are supported on and carried by the moving web 66.

Fig. 1 illustrates the positioning of a funnelshaped die 15 into which the web and cigarettes vare fed. The opposite tapered sides 15a and 15b of die 15 converge at a point beyond that which the lugs 56, 56 are withdrawn from contact with the cigarettes. This in effect serves to enclose the cigarettes in a tubelike covering with suflicient axial distance between the cigarettes to permit individual sealing and severing of the web.

This subsequent operation forms no part of the present invention and therefore it is unnecessary that it be described in further detail.

' It will be understood that the timing of all the moving parts of the feed mechanism is such that the cigarettes are initially deposited properly on screws 21 and 28 and the speed of the screws is such that they will be transferred from the screws to platform 54 at spaced intervals so that the ends of the cigarettes may engage the lugs 56. This timing is advantageously achieved through chains 53 and 51 which provide a positive non-slip driving connection between the various moving parts actuated thereby.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In feeding mechanism for cigarette packaging machines and the like, the combination which comprises a pair of feed screws drivingly yinterconnected one with the other, means for depositing articles to be' packaged between the threads of said screws., a stationat the terminus of said screws on which thev articles to be Dackaged are deposited, means for individually'removing said articles from said station in'vspaced relation to each other, and-means including at least one roller adjacent the terminus of said screws for lightly contacting the tops of the articles carried by the screws to prevent jamming of the articles as they are transferred from the screws to the individual removing means.

2. In feeding mechanism for cigarette packaging machines and the like, the combination lwhich comprises a pair of feed screws drivingly interconnected one with the other, means for depositing articles to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a station at the terminus of said screws on which the articles to be packaged are deposited, means for individually removing said articles from said station in spaced relation to each other, means including at least one roller adjacent the terminus of said screws for lightly contactingrthe tops of the articlescarried by the screws to prevent jamming of the articles as they are transferredfrom the screws to the individual removing means, and a pair of guard members extending longitudinally cn either side of said screws for retaining'the articles in transverse alignment on the screws.

3. In packaging machinery, the combination which comprises a pair of feed screws drivingly interconnected one with the other, means for depositing articles to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a platform at the terminus rof said screws on which the articles to be packaround the outer periphery of said flexible member, means for driving said member in .timed relation with said screws, a funnel-shaped die :into which the articles to be packaged are pushed `by said lugs, a web of wrapping material-adapted to be fed into said die underneath said articles, and means for advancing said web into the die.

4. In packaging machinery, the combination which comprises a pair of feed screws drivingly interconnected one with the other, means for depositing articles to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a platform at the terminus of said screws on which the varticles'to be packaged are deposited, a flexible member positioned above said platform, a plurality of spaced lugs around the outer periphery of said flexible member, means for driving said member in timed relation with said screws, a funnel-shaped die into which the articles to be packaged are pushed .by said lugs, a'web of Wrapping material adapted to be fed into said die underneath said articles, means for advancing said web into the die, and a trough adapted to receive articles pushed from the platform and to transfer support of the articles from the platform to the web.

5. In packaging'machinery, the combination which comprises a pair of feed screws drivingly interconnected one with the other, means for depositing articles to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a platform at the terminus of said screws on which the articles to be packaged are deposited, a flexible member positioned above said platform, a pluralityof spaced lugs around l threads of said screws, a platform at the terminuspof said screws on which the articles to be packaged are deposited, a chain positioned above said platform, a plurality of spaced lugs around the outer periphery of said chain, means for driving said chain in timed relation with said screws, a funnel-shaped die into which the articles. to be packaged are pushed by said lugs, a web of wrapping material adapted to be fed into said die underneath said articles, means for advancing said web into the die, and a-iiuid nozzle partially enclosing the lower ply of said chain.

'7. In packaging machinery, the combination which com-prises a pair of oppositely rotating feed kscrews having oppositely pitched threads thereon, means for driving said screws in timed relation v,with each other, means for depositing articles to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a platform at the terminus of said screws on which the articles to be packaged are deposited, a chain positioned above said platform, a plurality of spaced lugs around the outer periphery of said chain, said lugs being adapted to engage the articles on the platform, a pair of sprockets on which said chain is mounted, a driveshaft for one of said sprockets, a second sprocket on said driveshaft, a sprocket on one of said feed screws, and a chain connecting the second driveshaft sprocket and the feed screw sprocket.

8. In packagingmachinery, the combination which comprises a pair of oppositely rotating feed screws having oppositely pitched threads thereon, means forv driving said screws in timed relation with each other, means for depositing articles to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a platform at the terminus of said screws on which the articles to be packaged are deposited, a chain positioned abovesaid platform, a plurality of spaced lugs around the outer periphery of said chain, said lugs being adapted to engage the articles on the platform, a pair of sprockets on which said chain is mounted, a driveshaft for one of said sprockets, a second sprocket on said driveshaft, a sprocket on one of said feed screws, a chain connecting the second driveshaft sprocket and the feed screw sprocket, a funnel-shaped die in which the articles to be packaged are pushed by said lugs. a web of wrapping material arranged to be fed into said die underneath said articles, and means for advancing said web into the die.

9. In packaging machinery, the combination which com-prises a pair of feed screws drivingly interconnected one with the other, means for depositing articles to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a platform at the terminus of said screws on which the articles to be packaged are deposited, a vflexible member posie tioned above said platform, a plurality of spaced lugs around the outer periphery of said exible member, and an increased pitch portion near the terminus of said feed screws whereby the articles are accelerated immediately prior to being ejected onto said platform from said screws.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which the thickness of the threads on the feed screws increases from a minimum at the zone adjacent the means for depositing articles to a maximum at the terminus of said screws.

l1. In packaging machinery, the combination which comprises a pair of feed crews drivingly interconnected one with the other, means for depositing articles to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a platform at the terminus of said screws on which the articles to be packaged are deposited, a iiexible member positioned above said platform, a plurality of spaced lugs around the outer periphery of said liexible member, a length of threads on said screws in a zone adjacent the depositing means having a distance between the threads substantially greater than the diam-eter of one article, and a length of threads at the terminus of said screws in which the distance between the threads is sube stantially equivalent to the diameter of an article.

12. In packaging machinery, the combination which comprises a pair of feed screws drivingly interconnected one with the other, a constant pitch helical thread on each of said screws, means for depositing individual cigarettes to be packaged between the threads of said screws, a platform at the terminus of said screws on which the cigarettes are deposited, an axial distance on each of said screws in a zone adjacent the depositing means in which the thickness of the screw threads is reduced, thereby providing an axial distance between threads on each screw substantially greater than the diameter of an individual cigarette, a second axial distance on each of said screws in which the thickness of the threads gradually increases to provide an axial space between the threads substantially equal to the diameter of an individual cigarette, and a third axial distance on each of said screws in which the thickness of the threads is substantially equal to the diam-eter of an individual cigarette.

CONSTANTINEl S. STEPHANO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,604,133 Rebechini Oct. 26, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 412,832 Great Britain July 5, 1934 

